78-YEAR-OLD MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO MURDER WIFE BY HITTING HER OVER THE HEAD WITH AN AX WHILE SHE WAS PRAYING

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2007
Contact:
Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

 

78-YEAR-OLD MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO MURDER WIFE BY HITTING HER OVER THE HEAD

WITH AN AX WHILE SHE WAS PRAYING

 

WESTMINSTERA senior citizen was charged with attempted murder, torture, corporal injury upon a spouse, and aggravated assault with sentencing enhancements regarding the victim’s age, premeditation and deliberation, and infliction of great bodily injury.  Abdel Herbawi, 78, Fountain Valley, faces life in prison if convicted of all charges and enhancements.  The defendant is being held on $1 million in bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Friday, March 23, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-14, West Justice Center, Westminster.

Herbawi is married to Jane Doe, 68.  He is accused of striking his wife on the head with an ax while she was sitting in a chair praying in their living room.  He is accused of pushing her to the ground and causing multiple stab wounds and cuts, severing her finger and fracturing her skull.  Jane Doe was able to escape to a neighbor’s house for help. 

 

 Deputy District Attorney Dawn Vargas of the Family Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.

 

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